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Skilled Trades

Construction Laborers

Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

Median salary (BLS)

$47,120

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$35k – $78k

Job outlook

+7% (faster than average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Construction Laborers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Construction Laborers

    Entry / Junior

    $35,090

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Construction Laborers

    Established

    $47,120

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Construction Laborers

    Senior

    $62,605

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
  • •Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
  • •Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
  • •Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
  • •Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.